Preparations for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket tournament are intensifying as Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, await the arrival of more players from their provisional roster in Abuja.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation earlier released a 12-man preliminary list for the competition, headlined by newly signed Houston Rockets guard Josh Okogie and 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) champion Caleb Agada.
Other notable names on the roster include Ike Nwamu, Mike Nuga, Talib Zanna, Peter Olisemeka, Devine Eke, Kareem Joseph, Wesley Iwundu, Ugochukwu Simon, Stanley Okoye, Folabomi Fayemi, Emmanuel Omogbo, Christian Mekowulu, Martins Igbanu, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, and Tonye Jekiri.
As of this week, training camp is officially underway in the capital city, but only nine players have reported so far. The early arrivals include Stan Okoye, Talib Zanna, Mike Nuga, Christian Mekowulu, Devine Eke, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, Martins Igbanu, and Andrew Ugo Simon.
More players are expected to join in the coming days as the team works to build rhythm and chemistry ahead of their tournament opener, which is just a week away.
Leading the squad is head coach Mohammed Abdulrahman, who will be aiming to guide Nigeria to a stronger showing than their last AfroBasket outing in 2021, where they suffered an unexpected exit at the pre-quarterfinal stage following a loss to Uganda.
The 31st edition of the AfroBasket championship will be held in Angola from August 12 to 24, featuring 16 of Africa’s top national teams.
D’Tigers have been drawn in Group B alongside defending champions Tunisia, three-time AfroBasket winners, as well as Cameroon and Madagascar.
Nigeria will kick off their campaign against Madagascar on August 13, followed by a clash with Tunisia on August 15. Their final group-stage match against Cameroon is set for August 17.
The knockout stages will begin on August 18 and culminate with the final on August 24 at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda.
The tournament will be hosted across two cities—Luanda and Namibe. While Namibe will stage group phase fixtures exclusively, Luanda will host both select group games and the entire knockout phase, including the final.